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Assam Polls Set for Fierce Contest as BJP Names Candidates, Says Bhutia

Former Indian footballer Bhaichung Bhutia anticipates a highly competitive Assam Assembly election, praising the work of current and former chief ministers. The BJP has released its candidate lists, which include former Congress leaders Pradyut Bordoloi and Bhupen Kumar Borah who have switched parties. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma will contest from his traditional Jalukbari seat as the BJP-led alliance seeks a third term. The Congress is contesting most seats with a coalition of regional parties, setting the stage for a major political battle.

Key Points: Assam Assembly Elections 2026: BJP Candidate List & Competitive Race

  • BJP releases second candidate list for 2026 polls
  • CM Himanta Biswa Sarma to contest from Jalukbari
  • Ex-Congress leaders Pradyut Bordoloi & Bhupen Borah now BJP candidates
  • Polling on April 9, counting on May 4
  • BJP-led NDA seeks third consecutive term
3 min read

"Elections might be very competitive": Former Indian footballer Bhaichung Bhutia on Assam Assembly polls

Former footballer Bhaichung Bhutia predicts a tight Assam election. BJP releases candidate lists, with CM Sarma contesting from Jalukbari. Key details on alliances and polling dates.

"Elections might be very competitive": Former Indian footballer Bhaichung Bhutia on Assam Assembly polls
"As per whatever I know, the elections might be very competitive. - Bhaichung Bhutia"

Raipur, March 24

Former Indian footballer Bhaichung Bhutia on Monday described the upcoming Assam Assembly elections as likely to be "very competitive," citing the significant work done by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and his predecessor, former CM Sarbananda Sonowal, in the state.

Speaking to ANI, Bhutia said, "As per whatever I know, the elections might be very competitive. Himanta Biswa Sarma did a lot of work in the state, and even before that, former CM Sarbananda Sonowal also did a lot."

Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday released the second list of two candidates for the 2026 Assam Assembly elections.

The BJP has fielded Jiban Gogoi from Sissirborgaon and Sushri Krishna Saha from the Dalgaon seat. This takes the BJP's total tally of candidates to 90, after the party released the first list of 88 candidates on March 19.

In the first list, the BJP fielded both former Congress prominent leaders, Pradyut Bordoloi and Bhupen Kumar Borah. BJP has fielded Pradyut Bordoloi from Dispur after he ended his life-long association with Congress and joined the party in the presence of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

Former Congress state president, Bhupen Kumar Borah, who jumped ship weeks before, will contest from Bihpuria, a seat which he lost to BJP candidates in the last two elections.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is set to contest from his traditional Jalukbari seat.

Initially, CM Sarma said that the party will be contesting on 89 seats. After the release of the first list, he said, "The BJP Central Parliamentary Board announced candidates for 88 out of 89 constituencies. The candidate for the Sissiborgaon seat will be announced shortly."

The BJP is contesting the elections with Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and Bodoland People's Front (BPF).

Meanwhile, Congress is contesting 100 out of 126 Assembly seats and has formed an alliance with Assam Jatiya Parishad, Raijor Dal, CPI(M), CPI(ML), and the All Party Hill Leaders Conference. Raijor Dal will contest 11 seats. Polling for all constituencies is scheduled for April 9, with counting on May 4.

The BJP government, led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, will look to secure a third consecutive term, while the Congress aims to defeat the ruling party to return to power.

In the 2021 Assembly elections, the NDA, comprising the BJP, AGP and United People's Party Liberal (UPPL), won 75 seats, with the BJP alone winning 60 seats. The Congress and AIUDF had formed a grand alliance along with the BPF and the communist parties, but the alliance performed poorly with just 16 seats out of 126.

Voter turnout was as high as 86.2 per cent with over 2. 2 crore registered voters in 2021.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Interesting to see so many Congress leaders switching sides! Bordoloi and Borah joining BJP is a big setback for the opposition. Voters are smart, they will see which party can deliver development. 🤔
R
Rohit P
Competitive elections are good for democracy. But I hope the focus remains on real issues like employment for youth, flood management, and preserving Assam's unique culture, not just on political defections.
S
Sarah B
As an observer, the alliance math is fascinating. BJP with AGP/BPF vs Congress with that many regional parties. The 2021 result was a landslide for NDA. Can the grand alliance get its act together this time? The high voter turnout shows people are engaged.
V
Vikram M
Himanta Biswa Sarma is a very strong leader. His work speaks for itself. But let's be honest, the opposition alliance looks very fragmented. Winning 100 seats alone is a huge ask for Congress. They need a stronger local face.
K
Kavya N
Respectfully, I have to disagree with just praising the work done. While some infrastructure projects are visible, what about the price rise affecting common people in Assam? A competitive election should mean parties are held accountable for all promises, not just the visible ones. The voter will decide.
M
Michael C

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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